Contact persons: Dr Kathleen England, Ms Dorita Buttigieg

Background to the Survey

The Directorate for Health Information & Research (DHIR) conducted the First National Health Interview Survey in 2002, followed by what became the first European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) in 2008. Following this as per EU regulations (Regulation (EC) No 1338/2008) the EHIS is carried out every 5/6 years with the last one carried out in 2014/15.

The current European Health Interview Survey (EHIS 2019/2020) is being conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) together with the Directorate for Health Information and Research (DHIR) within the Ministry for Health and will take place between November 2019 and March 2020.

The study has been given clearance by the Health Ethics Committee of the Ministry for Health, and data will be handled according to the articles and derogations of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Malta Statistics Authority Act – Cap. 422.

What is the aim of the survey?

The European Health Interview Survey is a study in which information on health-related issues is systematically collected. The outcome is a comprehensive picture of the health of the population of Malta and Gozo, allowing identification of current health priority areas. This is a valuable source of information regarding the nation’s health status which cannot be obtained from other sources.

Since the European Health Interview Survey is anticipated to be carried out in all EU Member States every five to six years, the changes in the health status of the Maltese population and the effect of health programmes and policies can be monitored. Consequently, this Health Survey provides policy makers with relevant information allowing them to make more evidence-based policy decisions in the field of public health. Furthermore, the results can be compared with those of other countries which are also carrying out the survey, thus identifying potential issues which may be particular for Malta.

How is the survey conducted and what is asked during the interview?

The survey is conducted via a face to face interview (without physical examination) to a representative sample of 4000 individuals aged 15 years and over, resident in the Maltese Islands. The interviewees will receive an invitation letter from the National Statistics Office informing them that they have been randomly selected to participate in the survey. Following this the interviewee will be contacted by telephone by a trained interviewer from the NSO who will ask to set an appointment with the interviewee to conduct the interview.

The survey is carried out via 2 questionnaires. The first questionnaire covers various topics such as quality of life and wellbeing, diet, physical exercise, body weight and height, physical and mental health and disabilities and also the use of health services and medicines among other topics. The second shorter questionnaire covers more sensitive topics about one’s lifestyle, such as tobacco, alcohol and drug use.

The full questionnaires in English and Maltese can be viewed via the links below :

Questionnaire in English

Self Complete Questionnaire in English

All information collected in the survey will be anonymised and only be used for statistical and research purposes and to assist in health policy development for the population of Malta and Gozo.

Reports, Data Analysis and Studies, EHIS 2019/2020

European Health Interview Survey 2019/2020: Health Care Report

European Health Interview Survey 2019/2020: Health Status Report

European Health Interview Survey 2019/2020: Health Determinants Report

Whom to contact if you have any queries?

In case you have any difficulty, you are kindly requested to contact the National Statistics Office on 25997379 between 8:30am to 3:30pm from Monday to Friday or send an e-mail to [email protected].

For further general information on the European Health Interview Survey you may also contact the Directorate for Health Information and Research on 25599000 or send an email on [email protected].

Your participation in this survey is extremely important and the quality of the information we gather depends on your participation.